Held within the framework of the 4th Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV), the DANAFF Workshop and Project Market serves as a dedicated space for training, networking, and project development tailored for young Vietnamese and Asian filmmakers.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairperson of the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), stated that DANAFF Talents 2026 is structured around three core activities: intensive training, project pitching, and partner networking at the project market. The program focuses on two main categories: Vietnamese Genre Film Projects - conducted as a Script Lab, and Asian Art-house Projects.
A prominent new feature of this year’s DANAFF Talents is the 8-day Script Lab program, which selected eight Vietnamese feature-length film scripts with high development potential. Participants work directly with an international roster of experts, professors, directors, and producers, in collaboration with Columbia University (USA).
The training content focuses on developing script structure, character building, and enhancing market accessibility, providing the projects with opportunities to advance further into production and distribution.
For the Asian Art-house Projects category, participants from various countries attend a training course from June 28 to July 4. Alongside the specialized sessions, project teams will pitch their work to an international jury and connect with producers and distributors within regional and global film networks.
Notably, after completing the course in Da Nang, projects from the ASEAN region will move on to participate in two international workshops in Thailand and France. This is considered a vital opportunity for young filmmakers to expand their collaborative networks, secure co-producers, and gain access to the European film market.
This year's program brings together a mentor lineup consisting of prestigious professors, directors, screenwriters, and producers from the United States, Singapore, France, Italy, South Korea, and other nations. The juries for both categories also comprise highly experienced international film festival executives and producers.
According to the organizing committee, DANAFF Talents 2026 received over 350 applications. Following a rigorous selection process, eight projects for the Script Lab and ten Asian Art-house projects were chosen for the official training round.
Project pitching sessions take place on July 2, followed by the investment matchmaking program at the Project Market on the morning of July 3. The DANAFF Talents 2026 Closing and Award Ceremony is scheduled to be held on the afternoon of July 3 at the Novotel Danang Premier Han River.
With its expanding scale and the participation of numerous international experts, DANAFF Talents is steadily establishing its role as a launchpad for young cinematic talent while helping position Da Nang as a creative hub for Asian cinema.
